Creating a Memorable Presentation

Posted on April 18, 2008 
Filed Under Business Basics

Marcia asks:

“I am a member of BNI and I have to do a 10 min. presentation. What are your recommendations?”

It’s still true, when taking the stage, podium, or microphone at any event, that you only get one chance to make a great impression. Here are three tips to wow your audience.

  1. Start with a question, one that focuses on an ongoing dilemma as they attempt to increase their client base. The answer, as you continue your talk, will explain why gift baskets solve the dilemma.
  2. Provide examples that prove your point. When the audience can identify with situations faced by others in business and hear how you positively affected the outcome, they’re more likely to become your client.
  3. End on a high note that extends the sales process. I suggest that you close your presentation by requesting the audience to do whatever you chose as your goal when deciding to give the talk.

Taken directly from their Web site, BNI is “the largest business networking organization in the world. We offer members opportunities to share ideas, contacts, and most importantly, business referrals.”

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Comments

4 Responses to “Creating a Memorable Presentation”

  1. Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. on April 18th, 2008 12:12 pm

    Thanks for the good tips for this subscriber.

    I’d like to add that it’s important to be sure your talk focuses on giving the audience useful information rather than a blatant commercial for your business.

    When I gave one of these 10 min. talks for my networking group I explained the meaning of kosher food, how it’s processed and why it is frequently used in gift baskets. One guy came up to me afterwards and thanked me. He admitted that up until my presentation he just thought kosher meant “satisfactory” or “okay.”

    When you establish yourself as an expert in your field the audience will seek you out.

  2. Shirley George Frazier on April 18th, 2008 6:50 pm

    Your advice is on the money, Flora. The audience wants to know what’s in it for them to sit through your presentation.

    A 10-minute advertisement will bore them and won’t convince anyone to buy.

  3. Daniel Nagel on April 20th, 2008 11:34 am

    Since all your presentations will be given to adults, and the goal is to have them learn something, then it is critical that you, the speaker, have a good understanding of the principles of adult learning. Adults learn differently than children. In the end, the goal of your presentation is to teach so as to effect behavior change. Ie. Buy more, buy differently, buy from you…
    The knowledge base on this subject is too vast to synthesize in this short post, but here are three important things to remember:
    1. Adults learn best when the presentation is based on a question and adults never argue with answers they themselves conclude. For example, “What do all those small markings and words, such as the u in a circle or the word parve, on packages mean and what is their significance.” Then provide them with the tools, knowledge, and examples to contrive the answer on their own. After they have the answered the question, through their own discovery process, the knowledge will be with them forever.
    2. Adults learn best went the presentation is grounded in real world experiences. This is how adults and children really differ because children do not have the vast life experience pool that adults have. “Why is it that a lot of people turn to chocolate, or food in general, when stressed?” Then proceed with giving them the knowledge to answer this question and then provide ways that this type of behavior can be leveraged in business.
    3. Adults learn best by doing. It’s a fact so make sure to include some interactive component to your presentation but DO NOT call on individual people and put them on the spot, adults hate that! For example, “How do you think our industry could better serve ethnic groups, such as Jews, in a profitable and positive way?” This combines all three; it is a question that is grounded in real world experiences and pushes the audience to interact.
    Well, my two cents. Good luck everybody!

  4. Shirley George Frazier on April 20th, 2008 4:17 pm

    These are wonderful suggestions, Daniel, and certainly a great blueprint to follow before the presentation and during one’s time at the podium.

    I especially like what you said in No. 3 about not putting anyone on the spot. That’s a good way to repel a potential customer.

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